10, 10, 10! The hit ABC ballroom reality competition show Dancing With the Stars is celebrating their 20th season on air. Since 2005, celebrities have been surprising their fans with a number of successful professional ballroom dancers as their partners, performing dances in a variety of styles that are critiqued by a panel of judges each week. Season 34 has many determined celebrities and it is already off to a fantastic start!
This season, there are many recognizable celebrities that everyone loves! Influencer Alix Earle is paired with Val Chmerkovisky, Actor Andy Richter is paired with Emma Slater, “Boy Meets World” Actress Danielle Fishel is partners with Pasha Pashkov, Influencer Dylan Efron is paired with Daniella Karagach, Actress Elaine Hendrix is partnered with Alan Bersten, Reality TV star Jen Affleck is partners with Jan Ravnik, Olympic Gold Medalist Jordan Chiles is paired with Ezra Sosa, Wildlife Conservationist Robert Irwin is partnered with Witney Carson, Singer Scott Hoying is partners with Rylee Arnold, “The Secret Life of Mormon Wives” star Whitney Leavitt is paired with Mark Ballas, Actor Corey Feldman is partnered with Jenna Johnson, NBA All-Star Baron Davis is paired with pro Britt Stewart, Singer Lauren Jauregui is partnered with Brandon Armstrong, and Wellness Influencer Hilaria Balwin is paired with Gleb Savchenko.
Junior Nina Christy has always enjoyed watching the dancing, but in the past seasons, she has been more invested in the performances and celebrities on the show.
“I think the most promising celebrity for the mirrorball this season is Robert Irwin. He is already a fan favorite so I’m confident he will at least make it to the finale,” Christy says.
Every week, couples get assigned a theme and they have a week to come up with choreography to the song and style of their choosing. Throughout the season, couples get voted off the show based on judges’ scores and a live voting process that fans at home can do via texting the celebrity’s name to 21523 or through ABC.com.
Elimination rounds are always nerve-wracking for all contestants, no matter what their judges’ scores are. Some people accept their fate, and others have been vocal with how upset they are with their results. So far, Feldman, Davis, Jauregui, Hoying and Balwin have been eliminated from the competition.
One of the most controversial topics that this season has brought to the dance floor is that many contestants have prior dance experience before coming on the show. Leavitt has a bachelor’s degree in dance from Brigham Young University and Baldwin was a competitive ballroom dancer for most of her younger years but had to quit ballroom because of a hip injury. Baldwin has even competed and beat some of the DWTS pros including current pro Slater.
“I think having dance backgrounds is okay, but it does get to a point where it’s unfair, such as Baldwin. Her background is in ballroom dancing and that gives her an advantage over the others because even though they have a dance background, they are performing a different type of dance. Meanwhile she is in her field of dance and has won competitions for it,” Christy explained.
Season 34 is filled with action-packed performances and celebrity contestants with the eye of the tiger. Be sure to watch on ABC every Tuesday at 8:00 p.m. to vote for your favorite celebrities!
